ATF to help find cause of Baltimore fire

A Baltimore fire spokesman says the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will help determine the cause of a five-alarm blaze this week in the city’s adult entertainment district.

Fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright says the department is holding a news conference Wednesday at the scene of the fire to discuss ATF’s role in the investigation. Cartwright says federal investigators could help determine the cause of the fire within a week. He says without their help, the investigation could take five to six weeks.

The fire started about 4 p.m. Monday in a three-story building in the area known as The Block, and spread to five or six structures. It was brought under control in three hours.